Thursday, March 24, 2016

Man, how many statements is it going to take until big ol' Disney formally announces this film to the public?Wreck-It Ralph 2... Is it a thing? It sure is.

Director Rich Moore (who, with Byron Howard, also gave us Disney Animation's latest smash Zootopia) has been gung ho about revisiting the world of Wreck-It Ralph from the moment the film debuted in fall 2012. Composer Henry Jackman mentioned in April 2014 that a sequel was being written, and since then we've had all kinds of hints and such going around (John C. Reilly saying he has signed to do a 2, the TAG Blog accidentally listing it before being told to erase it), proving that Walt Disney Animation Studios really plans to make a sequel to Moore's video game adventure-comedy. I've been following this all very closely, and everything has lined up so far...

In speaking with IGN UK, he pretty much confirmed it's happening. Once again we've heard from people other than Disney brass that it's a thing. Chris Tilly of IGN put it this way...

"While speaking with the writer-director at the Zootropolis junket, IGN asked if a sequel is on the cards, to which Moore laughed and responded with the words 'maybe, maybe' and then nodded and mouthed the word 'yes.'"

Reminds me of another interview he did, where he stealth-confirmed it while realizing that maybe he shouldn't have said a few particular words.

"I think the world of that first film is so big and the characters are very rich and I just think that they have more stories in them... The end of the movie felt like a launching point. It felt like it wouldn’t be straining to tell another story in that world as some films are. To me, I feel like I can definitely see where it would go, and I think the audience kind of felt that way too."

Ever since the first film came out, Moore had also mentioned wanting to finally get Mario in the picture. Mario doesn't show up in the first film, for he and the filmmakers felt that giving him a mere cameo wouldn't have been appropriate.

"In the first one we didn’t have Mario... so it would be great to have the great Mario in a second one if we did it," he added, going on to say that the company has a good relationship with Nintendo.

Also...

I'm in Japan promoting Zootopia for a week, and then it's right back to work on the next project...because I care❤️ https://t.co/8gHj44cLMA

Anyways, we're all waiting for Disney themselves to confirm it. My best guess is that they've been waiting because A) the story, and B) Zootopia.

Let's look at Frozen 2 for a second. Frozen came out in November 2013, and had topped $1 billion at the worldwide box office in the spring of 2014. Disney didn't announce a sequel right away, though it was indeed hinted at. Disney waited until March 2015 to announce the sequel, at a shareholder conference no less. At that point, directing-writing team Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee felt the story was in decent shape. The other day Kristen Bell hinted at the story being in very good shape and that voice recording will begin very soon, indicating that the film will indeed be bowing in two years...

I think what happened was, Wreck-It Ralph 2's story really began to pick up steam in early-to-mid 2014 (around the time Jackman made his "it's being written" comment) and some real progress was being made. In animation, and film in general, it takes a few years for the story to really brew. Then in November 2014... This we all know is true: Byron Howard was running into some roadblocks with his Zootopia, and Moore was added as director. He had to temporarily halt "another project" in the process... Wreck-It Ralph 2 had to wait, for bunnies and foxes needed some help.

My guess? Disney will formally announce Wreck-It Ralph 2 during or after Zootopia's release in Japan. Zootopia is scheduled to hit there on April 23, Wreck-It Ralph was considerably big in Japan, so around that time we might just hear something. What say you?

Sadly, Teddy Newton's project seems to be no more. A few years ago, he joined Paramount Animation. He might've taken the project with him, too.

As for 'A Bug's Life 2', I can't see it happening since Joe Ranft died nearly 11 years ago, and a replacement for Heimlich just wouldn't seem right at all. 'Newt' could come back, though Pixar seemed to make it clear that they lost interest in it, but in animation, never rule things like that out.

And yes, I forget all about CinemaCon! That's the perfect place to announce 'Wreck-It Ralph 2', among other things!

so, do you think Wreck-It Ralph 2 is even on works yet? I mean, they only have the screenplay for now. It means that the film will only reach the cinemas on 2020. I think the slate is going to be lke this:

November 21, 2018: Frozen 2 - As we all know already.November 27, 2019: An original film - I reallly hope it's gonna be finnaly King of the Elves!!November 25, 2020: Wreck-It Ralph 2 - I mean, remember that when Frozen 2 was annouced back in early 2015, they said the film was in early development and if it will really be released on 2018, it will take 4 years to get finished. Wreck-It Ralph 2 will start early production this year, so make your bets!March 2021: Zootopia 2 - in 2021 the first film will complete 5 years, just like Frozen (2013-2018)November 2021: An original film - Probably the Dean Wellins project (Galactic)

I'd say Moore & co. will spend many more months sharpening the script and story, should be finalized by say, early next year. Then they spend nearly 2 years in full production, comes out in fall 2019. But things change, so it's either 2019 or 2020 at this point. Depends on what's ready in the end.

Pixar is releasing two sequels back to back with 'Finding Dory' and 'Cars 3', and currently 'Toy Story 4' and 'The Incredibles 2' open back-to-back. I can't see why Disney Animation can't do the same with 'Frozen 2' and 'Wreck-It Ralph 2', but again, who knows. Scheduling can be unpredictable!

Greetings, Programs!

Animation lover, aspiring writer/director of animated films, 60s and 70s music fan, collector of vinyl records, vintage Disney VHS aficionado and proud Aspie. Formerly known as Ostrumation92, also known as Imaxination1980.

Rights to the main text, personal photos and videos of Kyle's Animated World are held by the author, Kyle Ostrum (DeLuxODonnell92 / Imaxination1980 / animaspie92). All other images belong to their respective owners and are used under fair use.